Hand sanitiser donation helps keep Sunderland safe

Chemical giants BASF donated five tonnes of the sanitiser for use by councils, schools, care homes and the NHS across the North East, with Sunderland among those to benefit.

BASF has a small team working inside Sunderland’s Nissan plant.

And while the firm had to suspend its operations during the pandemic, but they were still keen to help distribute the product.

With businesses gradually reopening, the sanitiser could help to meet increased demand as various organisations look to safely combat the spread of coronavirus.

One of the places in which the council will pass on the sanitiser for public use is the Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens, which opened its ground floor to visitors again on Monday, July 13.

Sanitising points have been set up throughout the museum, so visitors can make sure their hands are clean before they make their way through the building.

The donation was organised by BASF’s European account manager, Scott Robinson, and was achieved by working with partner company 2M Group.

Mr Robinson said: “When we learned of the national supply shortage of disinfectant, we wanted to help.

“It was clear at the outset of Covid-19 that BASF could do something to help our customer Nissan, but also the local communities in the North East during this difficult time.

“Early in the Covid-19 crisis we arranged a meeting internally with my BASF team in Sunderland, but also invited our partner 2M group on what we could do to help based on current restrictions.

"It was clear from both meetings that hand sanitiser was a real point of focus.

“Making the donation was logistically challenging but worth it when we see life slowly returning to normal with the help of PPE such as our hand sanitiser donation.”

Councillor Graeme Miller, leader of the council, added: “This was a very generous donation and I would like to thank BASF on behalf of the council.

“Safety measures such as hand sanitiser stations have allowed the museum to reopen safely, so this donation has made a big difference.”

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